Key clamp rotation controller

ABSTRACT

A key clamping device includes a first key clamp, a second key clamp and a rotational device connected to the first and second key clamps. The rotational device may facilitate rotation of the first and second key clamps.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/437,197 entitled “KEY CLAMP ROTATION CONTROLLER,” filed on Jan.28, 2011 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

Key cutting machines are known to generally include a clamp in which akey blank is inserted and clamped for subsequent cutting by a millingoperation. Conventional key cutting machines often include two suchclamps: one for holding an original key already having the desiredmechanical code cut therein, and one for holding a key blank to be cut.More recent key cutting machines include only one clamp for holding thekey blank, as all of the cutting information may be storedelectronically.

Keys come in many different styles, such as house keys and car keys,sidewinder keys, tubular keys, and other various types and styles ofkeys. Depending on its size and shape, each style of key may require adifferent clamping mechanism to properly hold the key blank in placewhile the key cutting machine cuts the appropriate bitting pattern intothe key blank. Furthermore, depending on the design of the key cuttingmachine, different keys may require different clamping orientations,such as parallel or perpendicular to the cutting machine, in order toproperly engage the cutting tool during the key cutting process.

Many conventional keys, such as house keys and car keys, aretraditionally flat, and include a blade portion and a base portion. Suchconventional keys come in various lengths and widths, and have anynumber of different grooves along the blade of the key. To properly holda standard key in place while it is being cut, the blocks that engageand clamp the key must align with the key's length, width and grooveconfiguration. Thus, for a key cutting machine to be capable of cuttingvarious types of keys, it must have multiple clamping surfaces forproperly clamping each type of key.

Several key clamps have been designed to provide clamping for varioustypes and styles of keys. For example, key clamps have been designedwith multiple clamping sides, each side capable of clamping a differentkey geometries. The clamp is then rotatable to orient the clamping sidewith the desired geometry facing the key cutting machine. However, keycutting machines with two or more key clamps of this design require thatthe clamps are rotated such that matching sides are oriented toward thekey cutting machine to ensure that a clamped key blank matches the keystyle of the master key that is being cut.

SUMMARY

A key clamping device is generally presented. The key clamping deviceincludes a first key clamp, a second key clamp and a rotational deviceconnected to the first and second key clamps. The rotational device mayfacilitate rotation of the first and second key clamps.

In an embodiment, the key clamping device may include a belt tointerconnect the rotational device, first key clamp and second keyclamp. The belt may engage a gear connected to the first key clamp, agear connected to the second key clamp, and a gear connected to therotational device to translate rotation of the rotational device to thetwo key clamps.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects and advantages together with the operation of the invention maybe better understood by reference to the following detailed descriptiontaken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a key clamping mechanism.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a key clamping mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a key clamping mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the invention is described with reference to key cutting machines,it will be appreciated that the invention should not be limited to suchuses or embodiments. The description herein is merely illustrative ofembodiments of the invention and in no way should limit the scope of theinvention.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a key clamping device 10 is provided. Thekey clamping device 10 may be capable of clamping various types andconfigurations of keys. A given key cutting machine may include one,two, or any number of key clamping devices 10, depending on the designof the machine. A clamping device 10 may be used to hold a key, such asa master key having a bitting pattern cut into the blade or a key blankhaving an uncut blade.

The key clamping device 10 may include a carriage 12 to support one ormore key clamps 14. The carriage 12 may be any appropriate size andshape, such as generally rectangular, and may connect to a key cuttingmachine to move with respect thereto.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the key clamping device 10 may include two keyclamps 14. The key clamps 14 may be located at any appropriate positionon the key clamping device 10, such as connected to the carriage 12. Thecarriage 12 may be moveable to move the key clamps 14 between multiplepositions. For example, the carriage 12 may be moveable between a firstposition wherein the key clamps 14 are a distance away from componentsof the key cutting machine such as a key cutter, and a second positionwhere the key clamps 14 are proximate to the components of the keycutting machine.

The key clamps 14 may be configured to clamp various styles of keys. Forexample, the key clamps 14 may include a clamp block 16 and a base block18. The clamp block 16 and base block 18 may be any appropriate size andshape and may be located at any appropriate position. For example, theclamp block 16 may be positioned above the base block 18 such that thebottom surface 20 of the clamp block 16 engages the top surface 22 ofthe base block 18. The bottom surface 20 and top surface 22 may beconfigured to engage a key therebetween. For example, the bottom surface20 and top surface 22 may comprise a geometry configured to engageportions of a key, such as the key blade. The bottom surface 20 and topsurface 22 may be configured to engage a standard blade, a narrow blade,a wide blade, an X blade, or any other type of key blade known in theart.

The key clamps 14 may include any appropriate number of sides. Forexample, as shown in FIGS. 1-3, the key clamps 14 may include foursides. It will be appreciated, however, that the key clamps 14 may eachinclude three, four, five, six or any number of sides. Each side of thekey clamp 14 may comprise a different engagement between the bottomsurface 20 and top surface 22. For example, a first side of the keyclamp 14 may be configured to engage a standard blade, a second may beconfigured to engage a narrow blade, a third side may be configured toengage a wide blade, and a fourth side may be configured to engage an Xblade.

The key clamps 14 may be loosened to allow a key to be placed in theclamp and may be tightened to clamp the key into place. To that end, thekey clamps 14 may include a knob 24 to facilitate tightening andloosening of the key clamps 14. The knob 24 may be any appropriate sizeor shape and may be located at any appropriate position on the keyclamps, such as on top of the clamp block 16. In an embodiment, the knob24 may engage a screw (not shown) that extends through the key clamp 14.Rotation of the knob 24 may turn the screw to loosen or tighten the keyclamp 14.

The key clamps 14 may include a support block 26. The support block 26may be any appropriate size and shape and may be located at anyappropriate position, such as beneath the base block 18 to support thekey clamp 14. The support block 26 may include one or more detents 28 toreceive one or more protrusions 30 in the base block 18. The detents 28and protrusions 30 may be any appropriate size and shape and may belocated at any appropriate position on the key clamps 14. For example,the detents 28 may be v-shaped to receive a similarly v-shapedprotrusion 30. It will be appreciated, however, that the detents 28 andprotrusions 30 may be any size or shape.

The key clamps 14 may include any number of detents 28 and protrusions30 on each of its sides, such as one detent 28 and one protrusion 30each centrally located on each side. The detent 28 and protrusion 30 maybe aligned to allow the protrusion 30 to be nested within the detent 28.Further, the detents 28 and protrusions 30 on each side of the keyclamps 14 may be sized, shaped and positioned to allow the protrusions30 on a first side of the clamp block 16 to engage detents 28 on allother sides of the base block 18.

The key clamps 14 may be rotatable with respect to the carriage 12. Forexample, the key clamps 14 may include a spring (not shown) or othersimilar biasing device positioned within the key clamp 14. The springmay allow the base block 18 and clamp block 16 to be lifted away fromthe support block 26 such that the protrusions 30 are disengaged fromthe detents 28. Once the protrusions 30 are clear of the detents 28 thekey clamps 14 may be rotated to position the desired side at theclamping location.

The key clamps 14 may include a rotation shaft 32. The rotation shaft 32may be an appropriate size and shape and may be located at anyappropriate position, such as centrally positioned within the key clamp14. The rotation shaft 32 may extend through the support block 26 to theunderside of the key clamping device 10. The rotation shaft 32 mayengage a portion of the clamp block 16 and base block 18 such thatrotation of the shaft 32 rotates the clamp and base block 16, 18 andvice versa.

It may be advantageous to tie rotation of a first key clamp 14 torotation of a second key clamp 14. For example, tying rotation of thefirst key clamp 14 to maintain alignment with the second clamp 14 suchthat each clamp 14 maintains a similarly configured side in the clampingposition at all times. Tying rotation of the key clamps 14 may furtherallow both the first and second key clamps 14 to be rotated from asingle rotation point.

The key clamping device 10 may include a control dial 34. The controldial 34 may be located at any appropriate position, such as centrallylocated on the carriage 12 between the key clamps 14. The control dial34 may include a control shaft 36. The control shaft 36 may be anyappropriate size and shape and may extend through the carriage 12 to theunderside of the clamping device 10. The control shaft 36 may beconnected to the control dial 34 such that it rotates therewith.

The key clamping device 10 may include one or more gears 38. The gears38 may be any size and shape, such as circular, and may be positioned atany appropriate location. For example, the clamping device 10 mayinclude one or more gears 38 positioned about a portion of each rotationshaft 32 and about a portion of the control shaft 36 to rotatetherewith.

The clamping device 10 may include a belt 40 or similar device tointerconnect the control shaft 36 and one or more rotation shafts 32.The belt 40 may be any appropriate size and shape and may include anynumber of teeth 42. The teeth 40 may be sized and shaped to engagesimilarly shaped openings in the gears 38.

The belt 40 may be arranged to interconnect the gears 38 as illustratedin FIG. 2. The clamping device 10 may include one or more bearings 44 toconstrain the path of the belt 40. The bearings 44 may be anyappropriate size and shape, such as cylindrical. The bearings 44 mayengage a flat back surface of the belt 40 and rotate therewith. Whilethe clamping device 10 is described herein as utilizing a belt and gearsystem to interconnect the rotation shafts 32 and control shaft 36, itwill be appreciated that any means known in the art may be used toaccomplish such interconnection.

In an embodiment, components of the clamping device 10 may be powered orcontrolled automatically. For example, the control shaft 36 may bepowered by a motor, such as a stepper motor, solenoid, air cylinder orother automated device (not shown). The automated device may rotate thecontrol shaft 36 to the desired position. The clamping device 10 mayinclude sensors to provide feedback of the control shaft's position.

In an embodiment, the key clamping device 10 may be configured toautomatically select a clamping surface based on a specified input. Forexample, the control shaft 36 may be powered by a motor that isconnected to a motor controller or microcontroller. The microcontrollermay further be configured to receive inputs, such as inputs related to aselected key to be copied. For example, the microcontroller may receiveinformation related to a scan or digital image of a selected key. Themicrocontroller may then direct the motor to rotate appropriately toselect the corresponding sides the key clamps 14 that correspond to thekey blank of the selected key. It will be appreciated, however, thatsuch automated use is simply one embodiment and that manual use of thedevice may be appropriate as well.

In use, the control dial 34 may be turned to control rotation of the keyclamps 14. The knobs 24 may be unscrewed to loosened the key clamps 14prior to turning the control dial 34 in order to ease rotation. However,the dial 34 may be rotated without first loosening the knobs 24.Rotation of the dial 34 may cause a gear 38 connected to the controlshaft 36 to rotate. The control gear 38 may facilitation rotation of thebelt/gear system to cause rotation of the key clamps 14. A user mayrotate the control dial 34 until the desired face of the key clamps 14is located at the clamping position.

The invention has been described above and modifications andalternations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding ofthis specification. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

1. A key clamping device comprising: a first key clamp; a second keyclamp; a rotational device connected to the first key clamp and secondkey clamp such that rotation of the rotational device causes rotation ofthe first and second key clamps.
 2. The key clamping device of claim 1wherein the rotational device comprises a control shaft.
 3. The keyclamping device of claim 2, wherein the rotational device furthercomprises a dial connected to the control shaft.
 4. The key clampingdevice of claim 1 wherein the rotational device is interconnected withthe first key clamp and the second key clamp by a belt.
 5. The clampingdevice of claim 4, wherein the belt engages a first gear connected tothe first key clamp and a second gear connected to the second key clamp.6. The key clamping device of claim 1, wherein the first key clamp andsecond key clamp are connected to and rotatable with respect to acarriage.
 7. The key clamping device of claim 1, wherein the first keyclamp and second key clamp each have four clamping sides.
 8. The keyclamping device of claim 7, wherein each side of the first key clamp isconfigured to clamp a different style of key and each side of the secondkey clamp is configured to clamp a different style of key.
 9. The keyclamping device of claim 1, wherein the first key clamp furthercomprises a rotational knob.
 10. The key clamping device of claim 1,wherein the rotational device comprises a motor.
 11. A key cuttingmachine comprising: a carriage; a first key clamp connected to thecarriage; a second key clamp connected to the carriage; a rotationaldevice connected to the carriage and interconnecting the first key clampand second key clamp; wherein, rotation of the rotational device causesrotation of the first key clamp and second key clamp.
 12. The keycutting machine of claim 11, wherein the first key clamp and second keyclamp are each rotatable with respect to the carriage.
 13. The keycutting machine of claim 11, wherein the rotational device comprises acontrol shaft and a dial connected to the rotational shaft.
 14. The keycutting machine of claim 13 further comprising: a first gear connectedto the control shaft; a second gear connected to the first key clamp; athird gear connected to the second key clamp; and a belt interconnectingthe first gear, second gear, and third gear.
 15. The key cutting machineof claim 14 further comprising at least one bearing arranged toconstrain the belt.
 16. The key cutting machine of claim 11 wherein thefirst key clamp and the second key clamp each have four sides.
 17. Thekey cutting machine of claim 11 wherein the first key clamp and thesecond key clamp each comprise a clamping block and a base block. 18.The key cutting machine of claim 17, wherein the first key clamp and thesecond key clamp each further comprise a support block arranged tosupport the base block.
 19. The key cutting machine of claim 18, whereinthe base block includes a protrusion and the support block includes adetent configured to receive the protrusion.
 20. The key cutting machineof claim 11, wherein the first key clamp and the second key clamp eachinclude a rotational knob arranged to tighten the first key clamp andthe second key clamp.